Oil well drilling tackle



Aug. 25, 1936. L. c. BLACK OIL WELL DRILLING TACKLE Filed July 12, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. [es/er C B/ac ATTORNEY.

Aug. 25, 1936, Q BLA K 4 2,052,074

OIL WELL DRILLING TACKLE Filed July 12, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIIS ZEY INVENTOR. Ze s/er- C. E/ack ATTORNEY.

Aug. 25, 1936. L. c. BLACK OIL WELL DRILLING TACKLE Filed July 12, 1935 4 Sheets-She et 3 INVENTOR. [65/6/- C. fi/ac/z m muu rm l ATTORNEY.

Aug. 25, 1936. L. c. BLACK.

OIL WELL DRILLING TACKLE [exgz @206 %'.7 M/

Filed July 12, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY. v

Patented Aug. 25, 1936 (UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 011. WELL DRILLING TACKLE Lester C. Black, LosAngeles, Califl. Application July 12,19aasria'1 No. 31,023

7 Claims. '(c1; 254-190) This invention relates generally to tackle suitable for use in oil well drilling, in connectionwith conventional derricks.

Tackle utilized in oil well drilling includes a crown block carried by the top or water table of the derrick, in conjunction with a travelling block. In the construction of both the crown and travelling blocks, it is now conventional practice to utilize sheaves journaled on central shafts, with load-transmitting members connecting the Shafts to the derrick top for a crown block, or to the tool supporting clevice in the case of a travelling block. For drilling operations to moderate depths, such conventional tackle may give satisfactory service. However, the trend in recent years has been to operate at increased depths, until it is now common to drill to depths of from nine to ten thousand feet. Drilling to such great depths has greatly increased hoisting loads on the tackle, and inaddition hoisting speeds-required have been increased. This is particularly true where rotary drilling apparatus is employed, which necessitates the removal and replacement of the entire string of drill pipe when the drilling bit is replaced.

In an attempt to meet the more severerequirements of present-day drilling operations, equipment builders have continually increased the size of the crown and travelling blocks, without altering the general mode of construction employed. The problem has been complicated by the fact that cables of increased diameter are required for the deep-well rotary drilling rigs, as for example a cable 1%" in diameter. With their present type of construction, equipment builders cannot employ sheaves suificiently large in diameter to meet standard wire line practice, without redesign of the entire derrick, since the present crown and travelling blocks have been increased to such a size as to utilize all available space. Therefore, on installations now in use. on deep-well rotary drilling projects, the cables are operated on sheaves which are considerably smaller in diameter than recommended forthe cable employed, thereby greatly shortening the life of the cable.

Aside from the fact that present equipment builders have been unable to provide sheaves of aproper diameter'for usewith the heavy cables employed, their attempts to cope with the heavier loads and greater hoisting speeds have resulted in crown and travelling blocks of excessive size which-are cumbersome to handle. It is desirable to havea travelling block relatively short in length, since an excessively long block re.-

quiresa taller derrick to properly rack the drill pipe. An increase in the thickness of both the crown and travelling blocks is even more serious. This is because the space between the center line of the derrick and the side on which the drill .5 pipe is racked, is limited. Likewise, a relatively thick travelling block makes it necessary for the derrick man to swing the elevators beyond one side of the block, in order to attach them to the drill pipe, and the amount of such swinging move- 10 ment is increased with an increase in thickness of the travelling block.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tackle suitable for deep-well drilling, which will avoid the disadvantages outlined above for tackle of conventional design. The blocks incorporating my invention afiord adequate load carrying capacity for deep-well drilling, with sheaves of a proper diameter to operate with heavy cables, and at the same time the dimensions of the blocks are greatly reduced.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel form of crown block for an oil well derrick, which will be adequate for deep-well drilling requirements without necessitating a redesign of present derrick constructions.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description, in which certain embodiments ofthe invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. J g

' Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view oi. the crown block and travelling block of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the travelling block the right hand half of the view being in cross section.

'Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken 40 through the crown block.

. Fig, 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig; 4;

3 Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of the crown block. Fig. 7 is a perspective detail in cross section, showing a modification.

. Fig. 8 is a side elevational detail, showing a further modification of the crown block.

One particularfeature of the blocks constructed in accordance with my invention is that they do not. employ conventional sheaves having spokesj extending from a central hub. Instead of suchconventional sheaves, I make use of rings of relatively large'internal diameter, which are J'ournaled on the outer periphery of a drum or like cylindrical member. Thus, referring first to the crown block illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, I employ a plurality of ring shaped sheaves I0, the outer peripheries of which are provided with grooves II to receive the hoisting cable. These sheaves are disposed in side-by-side relationship upon a cylindrically shaped drum I2.

In order to suitably journal the sheaves to the drum, and at the same time to afford an interlock preventing lateral displacement, the inner peripheries of the sheaves are provided with grooves I3 to form a ball-bearing race. The outer periphery of the drum I2 is likewise formed to provide spaced annular grooves I4." Balls I6 are disposed in the grooves or races I3 and I4, in order to properly journal the sheaves, and at the same time to lock the sheaves in their operation positions. The balls I6 are shown properly spaced by means of cages II. In assembling the sheaves upon the drum, the balls are introduced into the races I3 and I4 through openings which are normally closed by plugs I8.

To support the sheaves and the drum upon the derrick, I have shown a-pair of spaced horizontal I-beams, or like structural members, the ends of which rest upon the derrick top or Water table 2|. By reference to Figs. 1 and 4 it will be noted that the axis of the drum I2 is spaced a substantial distance below the upper faces of the I-beams I9.

In order to form a load-transmitting attachment between the beams I9 and the drum I2, I have shown a structure 22 which can be formed integral with the drum. This structure as illustrated consists of a plate 23, which rests upon the upper faces of beams I9, and which has its end joined to the main body of the drum. Intermediate portions of plate 23, immediately above the center lines of beams I9, are likewise connected to the main body of the drum by the compression struts or webs 24. Thus structure 22 serves to transmit the load from an upper segmental portion of the drum I2 to the I-beams I9. The I-beams can be connected by means including a spacer plate 26, which is shown attached to the webs of I-beams I9 by bolts 21. Bolt 28 serves to connect the clamp plate 28a to the plate 23 of structure 22, thus securing the drum to the I-beams.

As finally assembled upon the derrick, itis desirable to cover the upper part of the block by a suitable housing 29. Such a housingnot only serves to protect the sheaves, but also prevents accidental displacement of the cable. It is also desirable in such an assembly to provide one or more additional supplemental sheaves; such a supplemental sheave 3| isshown mounted between the I-beams I9, with its axis at right angles to the axis of rotation of the sheaves II] in the crown block.

The travelling block, which has been designated generally at 33, has been illustrated in detail in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. It also includes a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves 34, similar to the sheaves ID of the crown block, and disposed upon a cylindrical drum 36. The sheaves are journaled to the outer periphery of the drum 36 and retained against lateral displacement, by the ball bearings 35. In order .to form a load-transmitting connection between'the drum 36 and a lower tool clevis 31, a pair of side frame members 38 are provided. A suitable arrangement for attaching the clevis 31 to the lower extremities of frame members 38 is as followsz-The bored to receive the connecting bolt 44.

frame members 38 have openings 39 in which the ends of the clevis bar 31 are accommodated. These openings are considerably longer than the corresponding dimensioning of clevis bar 31, and the spaces thus afforded above the clevis bar are normally occupied by the removable filler blocks 4I. Lips 42, depending from the lower end corners of the clevis bar, serve to normally interlock with the frame members 38. However, when filler blocks 4i are removed the clevis bar can be lifted to disengage it with respect to the frame members.

Immediately above the lower portion of the drum 36, the frame members 38 are provided with inwardly extending trunnions 43, which are Removable locking lugs 46 can engage the heads of this bolt to prevent accidental loosening. On

that portion of the drum adjacent to the trunnions 43, there is a saddle 41 in which the trunnions 43 rest, as shown in Fig. 3. The load transmitted to the drum by saddle 4'! is distributed over a substantial lower segmental portion of the drum by means of webs 48.

Near the upper portion of drum 36 the side frame members 38 are connected together by bolt 49. This bolt is likewise attached to the drum by means of lugs 5| through which the bolt extends. However, this connection merely assists in maintaining the parts in assembled relationship and does not serve to transmit the main load between the clevis 3'! and the drum.

The top of the block is provided with a clevis 53, which is suitably attached to the upper end of frame members 38. For example, a pair of bolts 54 can be provided, which extend through lugs 56 formed on the upper ends of the side frame members.

To facilitate handling of the travelling block by an operator, suitable hand holds 51 can be provided in the side frame members 38. It is also desirable to enclose the sheaves by means of suitable covers or housing sections 58 and 59, which are suitably attached to the side frame members.

Various modifications of the above described structures can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, three or more structural members I9a can be employed to support the crown block, in place of the two beams I9 shown in Fig. 1. Suitable means such as spacer plates and bolts GI and 62 are shown for retaining the beams together in spaced relationship, and the spaces between the beams are shown being utilized to accommodate additional auxiliary sheaves 3Ia.

Instead of forming bearing grooves directly in the peripheries of drums I2 and 34, such grooves can be formed in a part or parts, which can be removed or repositioned with respect to the drum. Thus as shown in Fig. '7, separate grooved races 63 can be assembled on the drum I2 of the crown block, and locked to the drum by suitable means such as a key 64, whereby such races become a part of the drum. A similar modification can be adopted for the travelling block. In the event the upper segments of these races, which carry the load, become worn, the races may be repositioned to present upper unworn segmental portions.

The load transmitting structure 22 for the crown block and the saddle 4'I of'the travelling block, can be made separate from the respective drums I2 and 34. Thus as shown in Fig. 8 for the crown block, structure 22a is formed as a separate part attached to the drum I2 by suitable means, such as rivets or cap screws 66.

The features and advantages of my tackle will be apparent from the above description. The sheaves of both the crown and travelling blocks can be made to a diameter adequate to handle the heavy cable employed, in conformity with practice recommended by cable manufacturers. The journals for the sheaves are capable of sustaining relatively heavy loads, due to the relatively large area over which the bearing load is distributed. For a given number of sheaves the width of the crown block and also of the travelling block is far less than in convention practice. This is because the sheaves can be made relatively thin, and because, by means of the type of journaling employed, they can be maintained in closely assembled relationship without the use of supplemental spacing means between the sheaves. The travelling block, in addition to being of a thickness substantially less than in conventional practice, is relatively short, thus making it possible to manipulate the tackle more readily in various drilling and hoisting operations. Since any tackle is relatively compact, it can be utilized on deepwell drilling operations, without changing the design of present-day derricks.

The travelling block structure is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 35,599 filed Aug. 10, 1935.

I claim:

1. A crown block for oil well drilling tackle, comprising a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a hollow drum on which the sheaves are assembled, said drum having an upper segmental portion, a structural member extending through the drum and substantially parallel to the axis of the same, the upper face of the structural member being spaced a substantial distance above the central axis of the drum, and a load-transmitting structure attached to said upper segmental portion of the drum and engaging the upper face of said structural member.

2. A crown block for oil well drilling tackle, comprising a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a hollow drum on which the sheaves are assembled in side-by-side relationship, said drum having an upper segmental portion, means serving to journal and interlock the sheaves to the periphery of the drum, a pair of spaced horizontal structural members extending through the drum and parallel to the axis of the same, the upper faces of said structural members being spaced above the axis of the drum, and load-transmitting means attached to said upper segmental portion of the drum and adapted to engage the upper faces of said structural members.

3. In a crown block for oil well drilling tackle adapted to be disposed upon a derrick top, a pair of spaced horizontal structural members adapted to rest upon the derrick top, a hollow drum surrounding said structural members, said drum having an upper segmental portion, means forming a load-transmitting attachment between said structural members and said upper segmental portion of the drum, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves disposed on said drum in side-by-side relationship, and means serving to journal the inner peripheries of said sheaves to the outer periphery of the drum.

4. A crown block for oil well drilling tackle adapted to be disposed on a derrick top, comprising a pair of spaced horizontal structural members, a drum surrounding said structural members, means forming a load-transmitting attachment between said structural members and said drum, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves disposed upon said drum in side-by-side relationship, means serving to journal the inner peripheries of the sheaves to the outer periphery of the drum, the axes of rotation of the sheaves being coincident with the axis of the drum, and a supplemental sheave journaled to said structural members and disposed between the same, the axis of said supplemental sheave being at right angles to the axis of the drum.

5. A crown block for oil well drilling adapted to be supported upon a derrick top, a horizontal structural member, the ends of which are adapted to engage the derrick top, a hollow drum surrounding said structural member intermediate the ends of the same, the axis of said drum being horizontal and being disposed below the upper face of said structural member, means for forming a load-transmitting attachment between said structural member and said drum, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves surrounding the drum in side-by-side relationship, and means utilizing ball bearings for journaling the sheaves to the drum and for locking the sheaves in assembled relationship with respect to the drum.

6. In a crown block for oil well drilling tackle, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, a hollow drum on which the sheaves are assembled in side by side relationship, means forming journals between the inner peripheries of the sheaves and the outer periphery of the drum, a structural beam extending through said drum and parallel to the axis of the same, and means engaging the upper face of the beam and forming a load transmitting attachment between said beam and said drum, the projecting ends of said structural member being adapted to be supported by a derrick top.

7. In a crown block for oil well drilling tackle, a plurality of ring-shaped sheaves, the inner peripheries of the sheaves being grooved to form ball bearing races, a drum on which the sheaves are assembled in relatively close spaced relationship, the outer periphery of the drum having annular grooves forming ball bearing races, ball bearings disposed in said grooves, said ball bearings serving to journal the sheaves to the drum and also serving as the sole means to retain the sheaves in spaced assembled relationship upon the drum, a structural member extending through said drum and parallel to the axis of the same, and means forming a load transmitting attachment between said structural member and said drum, the projecting ends of said structural member being adapted to be supported by derrick top.

LESTER C. BLACK. 

